KA‘ENA POINT ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROJECT

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/nars/oahu/kaena/ecosystem-restoration/ In 1970, became one of the first states in the country to recognize the importance of its unique natural resources by establishing the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS).

The Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Reserve was established in 1983 by Executive Order 3162. Seabirds nest on the ground and are extremely vulnerable to cats / rats / dogs, especially the flightless chicks.

• Estimate: 15% of wedge-tailed shearwater chicks killed.

• Estimate: 13% of Laysan albatross chicks were killed. Wedge-tailed shearwater chick killed by rats

Over 100 wedge-tailed shearwaters adults killed by dogs in 2006 Reserve established to protect a threatened sand dune ecosystem that includes rare native plant communities.

Two native plant communities are present in the Reserve:

a rare Naupaka Mixed an Ilima (Sida fallax) Coastal Coastal Dry Shrubland Dry Mixed Shrub and Grassland Protected Endemic Plant Species at the Ka‘ena Point sand dunes:

Ohai (Sesbania tomentosa), which grows as Pohinahina or beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia) a low-lying shrub, is an endangered species grows right out of the sand and produces once reduced to about a dozen specimens charming blue-purple flowers and rosettes before the NAR created and all-terrain of aromatic leaves that release a sweet vehicles prohibited from Kaena Point. fragrance when crushed. Ohai has hairy silvery leaves that allow the plant to conserve moisture and produces red-orange flowers (legume or pea family). Ilima papa often found with the native Another beautiful ground cover morning glory pauohiiaki (Jacquemontia at Kaena Point is nehe ovalifolia subsp. sandwicensis) which has (Lipochaeta integrifolia). small purplish flowers. During the peak winter bloom, When they bloom along side each other, the landscape is ablaze with the the green tapestry of their intermingled yellow-orange color of nehe and foliage is accented by lovely purple and ilima flowers. yellow-orange flowers. Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) began re-colonizing sites across the Pacific in the 1970s after severe population declines

First birds sighted in 1991. First O’ahu chick fledged in 1992. Now breed at Ka‘ena Point and Kuaokala (mountain top). Map of Laysan Albatross Nesting Sites in O’ahu Laysan Albatross have attempted breeding at six sites on O’ahu since 1979 and currently breed at two of them.

Successful breeding is a more recent event, with the first chick fledging in 1992 after predator control started.

Population growth driven by immigration and recruitment.

The annual breeding population of the island is now of the order of 75 pairs, having increased at the rate of 27% per year since 1991. Colonies on O’ahu monitored weekly from 2004 to 2008; all individuals censused, banded, and genetically identified to gender.

Population of 365 adults on O’ahu in 2008; 47% were active breeders.

Breeding population increased 27% annually since 1991. High rate of increase due primarily to immigration, with some local recruitment. Recaptures indicate that 7 birds were from French Frigate Shoals, 1 from Midway, and 52 from O’ahu; all other adults of unknown origin.

Hatching rate (62%), fledging rate (78%), and overall reproductive success (48%). Comparable to other colonies despite occasional predation.

Rate of adult dispersal is high: with up to 10% of birds observed on O’ahu visiting from . The Reserve:

Peninsula-style predator-proof fence with three double doors The fence encloses 59 acres of Ka‘ena Point NAR.

Completed in March 2011.

The fencing corridor is 4m (13 f) wide and 622m (2040 f, 0.4 mile) long.

The fencing alignment follows a World War II-era roadbed that skirts along the bottom of the hill, above the sand dunes. http://restorekaena.org The fence includes a combination of key features to prevent animals from jumping, climbing, squeezing through or digging their way into the protected area:

• built approximately 6.5 feet high • with a rolled hood at the top • fine mesh between fence posts • and a skirt buried underground,

This design has been thoroughly tested in coastal and forested areas of New Zealand, and on the slopes of Mauna Loa (in Hawai‘i).

http://restorekaena.org Methods:

Peninsula-style predator-proof fence Bait stations targeting rats Mouse / Rat snap traps

(Young et al. 2013) Evidence of Eradication:

Rats & Mangoose -> Mice

Four rodent species:

the house mouse the Norway rat the Polynesian rat the black rat

inhabit most islands of Hawai'i. (Young et al. 2013) Need to consider trophic links between the various introduced predators: cats, mangoose, rats, mice

Sequence of Eradication:

Cats -> Rats -> Mice (Lohr et al. 2013) 12/02/11 – Shearwaters fledge in record numbers at Ka‘ena Point following Predator Proof Fence

http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/chair/pio/nr/2011/NR10-317.pdf

Ground-nesting seabirds at Ka‘ena Point had been the targets of predators including dogs, feral cats, mongoose, and rats for decades, with up to 15% of chicks being lost each year to predation. The full moons in October and November would bring particularly devastating attacks on the Wedge-tailed shearwater chicks as they left their burrow for the first time at night and would be more visible to predators roaming the area. 03/30/12 - Ka‘ena Point Predator Proof Fence Helps Restore Native Dune Ecosystem - Albatross Nesting At Highest Recorded Levels

http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/chair/pio/nr/2012/NR12-033.pdf

As hoped for, nesting albatross have increased, showing the highest number of nests ever recorded. Currently there are 34 active nests, many of which are in close view of the designated walking paths. While it used to be a rare treat to catch a glimpse of one of the fluffy albatross chicks, it’s now a common, but still special, occurrence. The Start of Something New? The beginnings of Black-footed Albatross colonization on O’ahu

Black-footed Albatross associating with Laysan Albatross at Ka‘ena Point: 3 Feb 2006 (left), 23 Feb 2011 (right)

(Young & Vanderwerf 2016) A total of 32 Black-footed Albatross have been seen at Kaena Point since 2003

Increasing BFAL Occurrence at Site

Strong Seasonality: (winter / early spring) (Young & Vanderwerf 2016) TOP NEWS

Ka‘ena Point Road closed to prevent mud-bogging damage

By Nina Wu April 10, 2018

The road at Ka‘ena Point State Park, closed since President’s Day weekend, will remain closed until further notice to prevent illegal off-roading in muddy bogs created by heavy rains, according to state park officials.

“These areas just need a break from all of the abuse,” said Jamie Raduenzel, Ka‘ena Point outreach and education specialist. “Natural vegetation which helps prevent erosion gets torn up and mud holes get deeper and deeper. There are numerous instances where vehicles have been buried so deep in the mud they’ve had to be towed out.”

Sunday’s Field Trip

Departure HLC: 8.00 am Things to Bring:

Drive: 1.0 - 1.5 hours - Comfortable walking shoes - Sun cream / hat Walk: 1.75 miles (each way) - Water (for walk / for car) - Rain jacket Return to HLC: 3:00 pm - Lunch / Snacks References

Lohr, M., Young, L.C., VanderWerf, E.a., Miller, C.J., & H. Leong. (2013) Dietary analysis of free-ranging cats at Ka`ena Point, Hawai`i. `Elepaio. 73:1-3.

Young, L.C., VanderWerf, E.A., Lohr, M.T., Miller, C.J., Titmus, A.J., Peters, D., & Wilson, L.(2013) Multi-species predator eradication within a pest-proof fence at Ka`ena Point, Hawai`i. 2013. Biological Invasions 15(6): DOI 10.1007/s10530-013-0479-y.

Young, L.C., VanderWerf, E.A., Smith, D.G., Polhemus, J., Swenson, N., Swenson, C., Liesemeyer, B.R., Gagne, B., & Conant, S.(2009) Demography and Natural History of Laysan Albatross on O’ahu, Hawaii.. Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 121:722-729.

Young, L.C., VanderWerf, E.A.. (2016). The Start of Something New? The beginnings of Black-footed Albatross colonization on O’ahu, Hawai’i. ‘Elepaio 76(1): 1 – 4.